My heart was filled and focused. I was able to see the daily struggles with my children in a completely different light.

The transformation to serve my family in a gospel-centered light will always be something I am striving towards.

It is a daily battle and a daily struggle, but one that we can find peace over by following His truths.

Ready to learn more? Here are 7 Essential Ways to Become a Gospel-Centered Mom that I learned from Brooke McGlothlin.

#1 Stop Trying to Make Peace

Peace is certainly the thing I pray for the most.

I want peace in the decisions that I make, peace in my marriage, and certainly, peace with my children.

Here is the truth I learned from Brooke:

Peace – that thing that mothers want more than life itself – comes only from trusting God to be all we need. Peace isn’t something we can manufature but something He manifests.

This spoke right to me because I do think I can manufacture peace. I think a better routine, a better system, more time in my day, and well-rested kids will manufacture peace.

But the truth is, I am always going to be let down when I have this mentality. I cannot create peace, but I can look to the only One who can give me peace and let Him do the work.

What a relief!

#2 It is OK to not be enough

I want to be enough for everyone. I have learned that trying to be enough sets me up for utter failure.

Why? Because I am not enough. And I learned in the Gospel-Centered Mom: that is ok.

In fact, Jesus wants me to not be enough so that I will rely on Him.

When I am enough and have it all together, then I lose sight of needing my Savior.

It is ok to not be enough. I am not enough. But with Jesus, I can find my enough in Him. As I grow closer to Him, I will find my worth and rest.

#3 Be careful of following the Me-Gospel

There is a dangerous way of thinking among Christians today. We can often feel entitled to have things easy because we are doing the “right” thing.

The Me-Gospel is prevalent today. But it is not the way God intended.

There is absolutely nothing in the Gospels that says our life is going to be easy. In fact, following Jesus can be one of the hardest things.

When we follow Jesus, we relinquish control. And I know that I like to be in control.

Brooke says it best here:

We believe things should happen the way we want because we deserve it (or haven’t done anything not to deserve it). We make ourselves – fallen, sinful women – the center of the universe and then wonder why we’re never enough to actually live out the easy life we think we should have.

I certainly have followed the Me-Gospel in my own life. When I have the mentality that I deserve something or my family should revolve around my expectations, then I am setting myself and my family up for failure.

#4 Keep Emotions in Check

Women are emotional creatures. God created women to be the more emotional ones.

While our emotions can be a good thing, it is important to keep them in check as we take care of our families.

I was reminded that I am not the best mom when I let my emotions rule.

I can go from peaceful to stressed in no time flat when I let my emotions take over.

But I have found that keeping these emotions in check can be a struggle for me!

I have been carrying this motto around from Gospel-Centered Mom:

When we allow what we feel to trump what we know, problems ensue.

My mind is a battlefield, but when I take my thoughts obedient to Christ, I am much more level-headed and calm.

#5 Study and Prayer are Vital

We all know that being immersed in the Word of God is crucial to our spiritual growth.

I know in my own life there have been lows and highs with spending time in the Word. I have been super consistent and super inconsistent. But one thing always remains the same: when I take the time to truly study God’s Word, I walk away with peace, assurance, and a better understanding of my Heavenly Father.

One aspect of Gospel-Centered Mom that really stuck out to me was that I need to come to God and wrestle with Him in prayer.

I cannot be too busy or too tired or too overwhelmed. Prayer is vital. I have to take the time to bring my concerns to Christ. I am not enough and I cannot make everything work out in my home and for my children. But in prayer, I can find peace. In prayer, I can find answers that this world cannot give me.

#6 Stop Balking at Sacrifice

All mothers know that sacrifice is a huge part of motherhood. We sacrifice our bodies, our time, our sleep, our passions, our wants, our needs all for our children.

Yet, I still find myself balking at sacrifice. Why is that??

My body knows that I will have to sacrifice, but for some reason, I cannot get my mind to agree.

I find myself complaining and whining and wanting my way all too often.

Sacrifice is at the heart of the Gospel. If my goal in my home is to create a Gospel-centered attitude, then sacrifice is a part of that goal.

I know that my children are watching how I react to crises and tragedy and daily annoyances.

Therefore, I want to show them that sacrifice is a part of living as a Christian.

There are no magic words and there is certainly not a magic wand. It is all about faith, trust, and sacrifice.

When I look back at the times I have struggled with depression and anxiety, I know that God used that time to bring me closer to him. My faith was strengthened, my marriage was closer, and I cherished moments with my kids.

The hard times make us appreciate the good ones. And sacrifice makes us remember that Jesus gave it all for us.

#7 Keep Your Goal in Mind

Our kids are going to embarrass us, upset us, and makes us throw our hands up in the air in despair.

But we have a bigger goal. As Christian parents, we want our children to grow up with a strong faith. We want them to be godly leaders, husbands, and wives. We want our children to raise children who pass on the inheritance of Christ.

When we cannot look past the daily tantrums and complaints, we lose sight of the bigger picture.

My children are going to make mistakes, and I cannot let myself get down that this is a reflection of me.

My children are sinners, just like myself. They need Jesus just like me.

After reading Gospel-Centered Mom, I walked away with a renewed resolve to not find my happiness or my fulfillment in my children doing everything right.

Rather, I want to go through each day with a clean slate and look for the moments that God is providing for me to teach, lead, and mold my children into who Christ created them to be.

Gospel Centered Mom

This year I will read over 52 books. I set this goal back in January and it looks like I will surpass it!

I wanted to read a book a week because it keeps me moving forward. I find spiritual rest in books. I find encouraging advice and get lost in faraway places in books.

The Simple Start Journal I Use in the Morning

Inspiration and Activities For Your Family Found Here

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